Learn which popular nutrition claims aren't as healthy as they sound

What Does It Really Mean?

What Does It Really Mean?

Pick up an innocent box of granola bars or a bottle of iced tea and you’re hit with health claims—from less fat to made with real sugar. In fact, a USDA study showed that 43% of products introduced in 2010 splashed nutrition ads on their packaging. But despite their promises, you could be eating more fat, calories, salt and sugar than you think. Get the facts on the most deceptive claims so they never mislead you again.

1. “Cholesterol-Free”

1. “Cholesterol-Free”

What you think it means: Heart-healthy!

What it really means: Cholesterol’s only in animal products, but the cholesterol-free stamp is frequently used on plant-based foods that would never contain it. Plus, plenty of junk food is naturally cholesterol-free (think Red Vines and Fritos), which doesn’t make it heart-healthy. “Besides, research shows that dietary cholesterol doesn’t affect blood cholesterol levels the way we thought it did decades ago,” says Darya Pino Rose, PhD, author of Foodist.